Massage device



May 23, 1933. c LUCAS 1,910,490

MASSAGE DEVICE 7 Filed Sept. 10. 1930 7 fizz/enter Patented May 23, 1933PATENT OFFICE CLYDE L. LUCAS, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS MASSAGE DEVICEApplication filed September 10, 1930. Serial No. 480,855.

This invention relates to massage devices, and more particularly todevices having rotatably mounted members adapted to be moved over thebody in contact therewith.

5 In devices of this character, to obtain the best results, it isdesirable that a decided vibration of the subcutaneous tissues andmuscles, as well as of the nerves and blood vessels be produced, andthat the flesh be 0 gripped to a certain extent at a plurality of pointsand during the use of the device, to effectively work it. Thisvibration, combined with the gripping and massaging of the flesh,promotes circulation and stimulates the nerves while also exerting abeneficial effect upon the muscles and tissues. I have found, as aresult of extended investigation, that the best results can be obtainedin a device of this character by employing hexagonal rollers arranged ina series of three or more rollers and so spaced that any two adjacentrollers of the series will exert a desirable gripping effect upon theflesh. One of the main objects of my invention is to provide a device ofthe character stated in which the rollers are so constructed and relatedas to produce a decided vibration or wave eflect while also gripping theflesh sufficiently to assure proper working or kneading thereof. Anotherobject is to so relate the rollers of the series as to facilitatemovement thereof over the body while obtaining an increasing kneadingeffect of the flesh from each end of the series of rollers toward thecenter thereof.

A. further object is to provide means for supporting these rollersresiliently and in such manner as to permit of desirable relativemovement or give thereof. A further object is to provide a device of thecharacter stated of simple construction and which may readily beproduced at relatively small cost. Further objects and advantages of myinvention will appear from the detailed description.

In the drawing:

Figure l is an underneath view of a massa e device in accordance with myinvention;

Tigure 2 is an end view of the device of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an underneath view of a modified form of massage device;

Figure 4. is an end view of the device of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a section taken substantially on line 55 of Figure 2.

Referring more particularly to Figures 1 and 2, the device includes abase member 1 of substantially rectangular shape and formed of anysuitable or preferred material. This base member is provided, at eachside thereof, with a V-shaped cut-out or recess 2, these recessesaccommodate the hand in gripping the base member which thus forms agripping element or handle for manipulating the device. Supportingmembers 3 are secured in the base member 1 adjacent each end thereof andproject from one face, the under face, of the base member. Thesupporting members 3 are preferably formed of suitable lengths of wire,or other suitable material, the upper portions of these members beingsecured in the base member in a suitable manner. The supporting membersare arranged in two series, adjacent each end of the base member, andthe lower or outer portion of h each of the members 3 is bent inwardlysubstantially at right angles to provide a hearing finger 4:, as inFigure 5. The members 3 of one series are disposed in alignmentlengthwise of the base member 1 with the respective members of the otherseries, so that the supporting members of the two series are arranged inpairs aligned lengthwise of the base member.

Rollers 6 are rotatably mounted upon the fingers 4 of the respectivepairs of the supporting members, each roller being provided in each endthereof with a bearing bushing 7 which receives finger 4. These rollersare of hexagonal shape in cross-section and are so spaced that thedistance between the opposed and parallel faces of any two adjacentrollers is approximately equal to, but preferably somewhat less than,the distance between the two opposite sides of any individual roller. Ihave found by extensive experiment that this spacing of the rollers, inconjunction with the use of hexagonal rollers, is highly important inobtaining the best results in the use of a device of this character.

Referring more particularly to Figure 2,

it will be noted that the supporting member 3 of each series, to eachside of the center member of the series, is inclined away from theadjacent face of the base member and toward the adjacent side thereof.It will further be noted that the perpendicular distance between therollers and the base member decreases successively from the centerroller of the series toward each side of the base member so that theactive sides or surfaces of these rollers define a curve convexed awayfrom the base member. This particular disposition of these rollers isadvantageous in facilitating movement of the series of rollers over thebody and also has the advantage that the rollers tend to penetrate orgrip the flesh to a greater depth at the center of the series than atthe ends thereof, said gripping effect decreasing uniformly from thecenter toward each end. This arrangement of the rollers, combined withthe resilient supporting members therefor, permits ofapprcciablepressure being exerted upon the rollers in the use of the device withoutdiscomfort to the user while eliminating or reducing possibility ofexcessive pressure and bruising of the flesh.

In using the device, the rollers are pressed firmly again st the bodyand the device is then reciprocated crosswise of base member 1. Duringthis reciprocation of the device, the flesh is gripped to a certainextent between adjacent rollers of the series so as to be thoroughlykneaded and worked thereby, and the rollers, due to their hexagonalcross-section, produce a decided vibration upon the subcutaneous tissuesand muscles, as well as upon the blood vessels and nerves. As a result,an effect, which I term a rhythmical wave motion, is produced in themuscles as well as the blood vessels and the nerves which is highlyefiicient in stimulating circulation of the blood and activity of thenerves. In this connection, it is to be noted, in, order to produce thiseffect, the rollers should be arranged in a series of three or more andshould be so spaced as to effectively grip the flesh between adjacentrollers without exerting undesirable gripping or pinching thereof. Ihave found that this result can best be ob: tained by spacing therollers as illustrated and described, and by employing rollers ofhexagonal cross-section. This device is particularly well adapted formassage purposes for relieving soreness or stiffness of the muscles, andfor stimulating circulation and activity of the nerves. It is also welladapted for massaging for reducing purposes, the rollers being highlyeffective in breaking down the fatty tissues.

In the modified form illustrated in Figures 3 and l, I provide a basemember comprising end bars 8 which are secured together by crossrods 9.A cross plate 10 also serves to secure together the bars 8 and aU-shaped bracket 11 is suitably secured to this plate substantiallycentrally thereof. A suitable handle 12 is pivotally secured, at 18, inthis bracket for manipulating the device. Supporting members 3A, similarto members 3 of Figure 2, are suitably secured in the bars 8 and havemounted thereon hexagonal rollers 14 similar to rollers 6. The use ofthe device of Figures 8 and l is similar to that of Figures 1 and 2, andneed not be further described. The handle 12 provides convenient meansfor manipulating the device in any de sired position.

What I claim is:

1. In a massage device of the character described, a base member,supporting members mounted on the base member, and a series of rollersrotatably mounted upon the supporting members in parallel and spacedrelation, the rollers being disposed successively nearer the base memberfrom the center roller of the series to each end thereof.

2. In a massage device of the character described, a base member,supporting members mounted on the base member, and a series of rollersrotatably mounted upon the supporting membersin parallel and spacedrelation, the rollers being disposed successively nearer the base memberfrom the center roller of the series to each end thereof, saidsupporting members being resilient.

3. In a massage device of the character described, a. base member,supporting members mounted on the base member, and a series of rollersrotatably mounted upon the supporting members in parallel and spacedrelation, the rollers being disposed successively nearer the base memberfrom the center roller of the seriesto each end thereof, said supportingmembers being resilient and the supporting members to each side of thecenter roller being inclined away from the base member and toward theadjacent side thereof.

'4. In a massage device of the character described, a base member, aseries of supporting members secured to the base member adj acent eachend thereof and projecting from one face of the base member, thesupporting members of the two series being arranged in pairs alignedlengthwise of the base member, said supporting members being resilientand the supporting members to each side of the center one of each seriesbeing inclined away from the base member and toward the adj acent sidethereof, and hexagonal rollers mounted upon the outer ends of therespective pairs of supporting members. V i

5. In a massage device of the character described, a base member, aseries of supportng members secured to the base-member adjacent each endt hereof and projecting from one face of the base member, the supportingmembers of the two series being arranged in pairs aligned lengthwise ofthe base member, said supporting members being resilrent and thesupporting members to each side of the center one of each series beinginclined away from the base member and toward the adjacent side thereof,and hexagonal rollers mounted upon the outer ends of the respectivepairs of supporting members, the effective length of the supportingmembers of each series decreasing successively from the center member ofeach series toward the adjacent side of the base member.

6. In a massage device of the character described, a base member, aseries of supporting members secured to the base member adj acent eachend thereof and projecting from one face of the base member, thesupporting members of the two series being arranged in pairs alignedlengthwise of the base member, and the outer portion of each supportingmember being bent substantially at right angles to provide a bearingfinger, said supporting members being resilient and the supportingmembers to each side of the center one of each series being inclinedaway from the base member and toward the adjacent side thereof, andhexagonal rollers mounted upon said fingers and spaced apart a distanceapproximately equal to the distance between two opposite sides of therespective rollers.

7. In a massage device of the character described, a substantially fiatbase member, supporting members secured to the base member andprojecting from one face thereof, said supporting members being arrangedin pairs aligned lengthwise of the base member and being provided withsubstantially right angularly disposed bearing elements extendinginwardly over the base member in substantial parallelism therewith, anda series of rollers mounted upon said elements for free turning movementthereon, said rollers being of polygonal cross-section and eachpresenting a plurality of contiguous fiat surfaces of considerablelength and disposed in angular relation one to the other.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 8 day ofSeptember, 1930.

CLYDE L. LUCAS.

